Programs and Funding Announced to Advance Innovation in Alternative Energy and Clean Technology

GE and partner companies this week launched a $200 million Smart Grid Innovation Challenge to accelerate the development and adoption of more efficient grid technologies.  The program is called the GE ecomagination Challenge: Powering the Grid and it is seeking new ideas from technologists, entrepreneurs and startups to create a smarter, cleaner and more efficient electric grid.  The global challenge has been segmented into three categories:  renewables, grid and eco homes/buildings.  GE is partnering with a number of venture capital firms to invest $200 million in promising startups and ideas.  Applications are due by September 30.

For more information and to apply, click here

In a related story, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation announced a new partnership between itself and Cleantech Open, a non-profit organization that fosters development of clean technology startups by providing the infrastructure, expertise and strategic relationships to turn good ideas into global cleantech companies.  Cleantech Open was founded in 2006 and is credited with helping companies raise over $260 million in funding and create 1,200 green-collar jobs. 

For more information on Cleantech Open, click here

This week OSU was awarded more than $1 million from the state Air Quality Development Authority to fund clean coal research.  The awards were part of a total $2.03 million awarded by Ohio’s Coal Development Office to universities across the state.  The funding is for projects that study carbon capture and storage and efforts to separate oxygen from air and convert coal to other fuels.

For more information, see the story in Business First